(This post is part of a series. Intro > 1. Illusions > 2. Labeling > 3. Math > 4. Multitasking) We like to think only those things we experience exist. Or even can experience. What about those things we can experience that do not or never did exist? That is what illusions are. They are cases where we trick…
We humans laud our superiority over the rest of the world. We even claim to be better than other humans. The chief attribute we compare is intelligence. An interest of mine regarding Psychology in college was failures of the mind. Phineas Gage suffered a brain injury that drastically changed his behavior. That was really cool! Yet, that…
Weird day yesterday. The security guard at work decided I have a girlfriend because I rushed to my car instead of hanging around to chat. Of course, he says not to have children because they ruin everything. Next, a woman I only really know from conversations on Tumblr suggested a couple Helen Fisher books. I…
While watching the NFL draft the other day, a woman at the bar lamented about how highlights for players from all over the SEC displayed their prowess against the local university. I explained Red Dress Effect to her and the bartender. Obviously these football players were not women in red dresses. Red can draw attention.…
Deep Blue versus Kasparov was an pivotal moment for me. At the time I was playing lots of chess on the computer. (And usually losing.) So the prospect the best player in the world cannot beat a computer was a depressing prospect. Â Maybe it is a sign of how much I had matured (or immatured)…
Haidt writes and talks about Moral Psychology. This is third of his TED Talks I will post here. I liked this one because I agree we are capable of working together even when we have differences. Getting past those differences? There is the accomplishment. If the video below does not load, then try Jonathan Haidt:…
Another Tuesday, another Jonathon Haidt video. Locked cooperation can lead to success over free-riders. I am curious what is the next big thing where cooperation will overcome something deemed insurmountable. If the video below does not load, then try Jonathan Haidt: Religion, evolution, and the ecstasy of self-transcendence.